242 
IRIS 
By Walter Welch, 
It often happens in hybridization that we 
will obtain just a few seed that are quite 
important or that we have some type of 
seed that is difficult to germinate To 
risk these seed to the usual chances with re- 
gular methods will often result in much loss 
and it is advisable to attempt some technique 
whereby this chance can be _ eliminated 
through controlled conditions. The aver- 
age grower does not always have the facil- 
ities for handling this, as does the profess- 
ional horticulturist, and must experiment 
with whatever is available. 
Recently I was faced with this problem 
in connection with some tiny seed of I. aren- 
aria, which I hope to submit to the 
colchicine treatment for the purpose of 
doubling the chromosomes and_ thereby 
altering its composition from a diploid to a 
tetraploid form. 
As is commonly known, arenaria seed are 
quite difficult to germinate; unless planted 
immediately after ripening, they will often 
remain dormant through the regular spring 
season and not sprout until following years. 
I had selfed plants of I. arenaria and ob- 
tained 44 seeds; these were held over in the 
house until the following late winter in 
February and had become very hard little 
pellets, which added to the difficulties of 
germination. In addition to this it was 
necessery that I be able to observe the pro- 
gress of germination and remove the sprout- 
ed seed as soon as possible. The following 
procedure has resulted in an approximate 
70% germination, in the minimum of time 
Indiana 
and risk, and that without testing the seed: 
prior to the treatment, to eliminate the bad 
ones. 
The seeds were first placed in a teacup, 
boiling water was poured over them to 
fill the cup half full of water. They were 
allowed to remain in this hot water for 
five minutes, then the water poured off, 
and the seed placed in a refrigerator in the 
freezing compartment. They remained in a 
freezing condition for 24 hours, after which 
they were thawed out and again placed in a 
freezing condition for another 24 hours, 
then allowed to thaw out again. 
I had procured one of those round plastic 
cheese boxes in which cheese is sold in small 
triangular cubes. The box is transparent 
about 41/2 inches in diameter and 3/4 inch 
deep, with plastic cover. This makes an ex- 
cellent little greenhouse when kept in the 
house at room temperature. I next cut three 
sheets of soft blotting paper to fit and placed 
in the bottom of the box. After pouring 
in water to wet down the blotters fully but 
not leaving enough water to immerse the 
seed, I placed the 44 seeds on top of the 
blotters and put on the lid. This was on 
February 15th and the first sprouts appeared 
on March 12th. just 29 days later. 
On March 12th. there were 6 seedlings, 
6 on March 15th, 7 on March 18th, 3 on 
March 20th, 4 on the 24th and 4 on the 31st, 
making a total of 30 seedlings out of a poOss- 
ible 44. On April 4th, the time of this writ- 
ing there are yet 14 seed ungerminated, and 
it is possible that more may come from this 
group. 
Although this is no record of spectacular 
performance in germination, it is an except- 
DWARF IRIS FOR THE ROCKERY 
The Dwarf Bearded Iris has become 
very popular and next to the Tall 
Bearded, are the best Iris sellers. They 
are ideal for edging along walks and in 
the rockery. 
Most of them grow about §8’-10" tall 
and they should be planted about 12” 
apart. They flower earlier than the other 
types of Iris and in the central states, 
may begin as early as March and by 
May are through, when the Intermediates 
and tall types begin to bloom. Their 
flowers are of the very best colors. 
We offer only the best varieties. 
ARAMIS. 5”, E 35¢ 
A dainty light yellow of quailty. 
ARENARIA. 35¢ 
The foliage is grass-like in this variety; 
the color a fine yellow. 
AZUREA. 3”, EE 35¢ 
A pretty variety in pale blue with 
beard; second earliest to bloom. 
BLACK MIDGET. 9”, M 50¢ 
Almost a black color; shows up well 
agaist a white background. 
BLUE BEARD. 8”, E 35¢ 
An unusual color, olive white with 
purple streaks on the falls. 
BLUE JADE. 8” 50¢ 
Extra large flowers in dwarfs, dark 
blue-purple that glistens. 
BRIDESMAID. 50¢ 
Pale blue and yellow. 
DIXMUDE. 10’, E 35¢. 
A pretty rich violet-purple fiower; strong 
grower. f 
DR. MANN. 6”, M* 40¢ 
A very long lasting prolific bloomer; 
smoky to  petunia-violet color. 
EBURNA. 10’, E 35¢ 
Lovely whitish yellow. 
ELF. wos 50¢ 
A wide petaled red-purpled that makes 
a bold effect in the rockery. 
FAIRY. 50¢ 
One of the best “50”; light yellow. 
FLORIDA. 6’, E 35¢ 
A soft primrose-yellow; very attractive. 
GRAMINEA. 12”; E 35 
¢ 
Strong growing rich red toned fragrant 
variety. 
HARBOR LIGHTS. 50¢ 
Light yellow and of the best quality. 
LADDIE BOY. 15”, E 35¢ 
A rich velvety deep blue. 
LITTLE JEWELL. E 50¢ 
PIONEER SEED COMPANY 
A nice brown-tan blend of colors and a 
creamy gold beard. 
LOBELIA. 8”, E 35¢ 
A very good dark blue self. 
MAROCAIN. 50¢ 
The standards are a clear violet; the 
falls a pansy-volet; nice. 
MIST O’PINK. 8”; E* $1.00 
A showy red-pink with flaring falls; 
this is one of the best of the dwarfs. 
ORANGE QUEEN. 6’, E* 35¢ 
A beautiful deep rich yellow; substance 
very good; fragrant. 
PUMILA ATROVIOLACEA. 5”, EE* 35¢ 
The Easter Iris; very dwarf and strong 
grower; violet color. 
ROSE MIST. 10”; E : 35¢ 
A very lovely mauve-pink; popular. 
SCHNEEKUPPE. : 35¢ 
White with a cream throat; one of the 
best “50”; 67. 
SILVER ELF. 10”; E 354 
_This has a_ pretty frilled flower in a 
silky silver white flushed royal purple on 
the falls. 
DWARF COLLECTION 
20 varieties of the above; our select- 
ion, all labeled, for ONLY $6.35; Ppost- 
paid. 10 varieties for $3.25. 
SNOW MAIDEN. 16”; E 40¢ 
A pretty white variety with a faint 
blue cast and olive-green and ochre veins 
at the half. 
SOCRATES. 6”; E 35¢ 
An excellent massing variety; uniform 
garnet tones. 
SPRING SKIES. 5”;. EE 35¢ 
A more vigorous Azurea. 
STEWART. 6” EE* 35¢ 
A small and dainty yellow self. 
TAMPA. 10”; EE 35¢ 
Grass-like foliage; dainty; red toned with 
cream; HM. 
TINY TONY. 4”; E* 40¢ 
A very small variety; red toned. 
TONY. 3”; E 40¢ 
Richest wine color; orange beard. 
VILLEREAL. 8"; E 40¢ 
A very nice variegata in old rose. 
YELLOW FRILLS. 10”; E* 40¢ 
A very choice deep yellow dusted gold; 
frilled flowers. 
DIMONDALE MICHIGAN 
ionally good record when compared with 
previous attempts of germinating these tough 
little seeds. The normal results of my prev- 
ious experiences has been approximately 10 
to 15 percent germination with arenaria seed, 
as compared with an average of better than 
60% for other Iris seed under normal con- 
ditions. 
I cannot report on the livability of these 
seedlings after gemination, as they were im- 
mersed in 0.1 and 0.2 percent solution of 
colchicine immediately after removal from 
the blotters, and this solution is fatal to 
many of the seedlings. They’ were removed 
from the solutions at intervals of 36-48-72- 
120 hours exposure immersed. It is evident 
that some have survived as several have 
shown definite signs of growth, and on 
‘some there is am indication of the effects of 
the chemical action in enlarged sections or 
portions of the rootlets. 
Upon removal from the chemical the 
seedlings were transplanted into one inch 
clay pots, in a mixture of equal parts of 
sandy loam, peat and compost. These pots 
were set into a glass fish bowl, square or 
about 7 x 12 inches by 6 inches high. The 
pots were bedded in the same soil mix up to 
the rim of the pot and this wet down to 
conserve moisture at all times. The moist- 
ure can be controlled by covering or leaving 
open as the condition demands. 
As many kinds of hybrid seed, especially 
of widely seperated species and forms, such 
as those of arenaria, mellita, pumila, rubro- 
marginata, Regelia, Onco anl diploid forms 
and intermediates in the Tall Bearded Trises, 
are sometimes difficult to germinate, and 
due to the complex genetical composition, 
often produce few seed, it is advisable to 
use the utmost precautions in attempts to 
encourage the maximum of germination. 
